The need to understand albinism
Kwatsaduza Albinism Society in partnership with Lesedi Men’sClub hosted a workshop to educate people living with albinism about skincare.
KwaThema – Kwatsaduza Albinism Society in partnership with Lesedi Men’s Club hosted a workshop to educate people living with albinism about the need to care for their skin.
Mandla Gininda, chairpersion of the initiative, says the aim of the workshop was to help people with albinism take care of their sensitive skin.
“Some of them are ignorant about skincare, or they just cannot afford everything they need to keep their skin healthy.”
Albinism is, or causes, a lack of melanin.
Melanin is the pigment that gives human skin, hair, and eyes their color.
It provides some protection against skin damage from the sun.
Teboho Saohatse, an agent from the company that donated skincare hampers to attendees, explains how sunscreen can be used effectively to minimize skin damage.
“Many people use sunscreen incorrectly and that is why they say it does not work.
“Some black people also think sunscreen is only for white people.”
She adds that she also did not stop using the product until she started working for a cosmetics company.
“If your sunscreen does not have moisturiser, you have to put on a layer of lotion before you apply sunscreen.
“Always apply it in the shade and wait thirty minutes before you go out into the sun.”
Teboho explains that sunscreen should be applied even in areas people do not expose to the sun.
“Most clothes do not protect you from the dangerous rays of the sun.
“And you need to reapply every two hours.”
Julius Haroff of Lesedi Men’s Club expressed their gratitude to the sponsor for making the day a success.
The event took place at the KwaThema Skills Centre last Friday.
